Chapter Summaries

At the seabed banquet, Jiang Yang spoke with Yun Zhen, who reluctantly left after giving him her life-bound plume and inviting him to visit the Green Perching Parasol Phoenix Court. After she departed, Xuan Di told Jiang Yang that it was time for their group to leave.

• Jiang Yang explained to Yun Zhen that he had received a high-grade spell scroll from Yuan Jun as his prize for taking first place.
• Yun Zhen learned that Jiang Yang had received his reward in an upper chamber with Yuan Jun and suspected that Yuan Jun's scent lingered on him.
• After several days of feasting, Yun Zhen received word from her elder that she had to leave and told Jiang Yang where to find her at the Green Perching Parasol Phoenix Court in the Wu Kingdom.
• Yun Zhen pulled out her life-bound plume and gave it to Jiang Yang, saying it would let him travel freely through her court and urging him to visit.
• Yun Zhen departed in a streak of separation light, and Xuan Di told Jiang Yang to prepare to leave.

After Jiang Yang departed the Dragon Palace, Ao Qian explained to Yuan Jun that Jiang Yang’s hidden nature was an unprecedented emptiness and warned her against scheming around him. Meanwhile, Jiang Yang traveled home with Xuan Di, who asked what he had learned from meeting the houses’ descendants.

• Yuan Jun told Ao Qian that she had sent Jiang Yang to the surface on a Jadewater Scale Beast and admitted she could not see through him.
• Ao Qian revealed that a Peach Talisman concealed Jiang Yang’s empty past and unusual fate, and warned Yuan Jun that Jiang Yang might have influenced her through sincerity rather than tricks.
• Yuan Jun reported that [Azure Corner Heaven] would descend too early for Jiang Yang to reach sword intent, so she had given him the dangerous [Azure Silk Severing Hub Dao Scroll] ahead of schedule.
• Ao Qian said other houses had their own contingencies in [Azure Corner Heaven] and advised Yuan Jun to watch rather than intervene.
• Jiang Yang traveled through the Great Void with Xuan Di, reflecting on the Spirit Treasure and Broadwood Dao Scroll he had gained at the banquet.
• Xuan Di asked Jiang Yang what he thought after meeting the houses’ descendants and winning several bouts, and Jiang Yang began to answer.

Jiang Yang learned why Yi Yuanguang’s yi wood tradition was considered to have reached the end of its road and discovered that his master was searching for the missing Divine Power, Green Tip Above. Xuan Di revealed that the method remained unknown, leaving Yi Yuanguang’s path to the upper mystic position unresolved.

• Xuan Di praised Jiang Yang for bringing honor to Rain Xiang Mountain and reflected on Yi Yuanguang’s talent and the sect’s past decline.
• Jiang Yang asked why yi wood was a declining tradition and which Divine Power his master lacked.
• Xuan Di explained that yi wood had lost much of its ancient association with the seasons and that reaching the golden position had become exceptionally difficult.
• Xuan Di named the missing Divine Power Green Tip Above and described the corresponding upper mystic positions of the other four virtues.
• Xuan Di told Jiang Yang that the sect knew only the name of Green Tip Above, not its method, lineage, grade, or properties.

Xuan Di explained that a True Lord of Geng Metal had blocked Xuan Guang’s path to a Divine Power, then clarified the ranks of Golden Cores and revealed Rain Xiang Mountain’s uncertain connection to its immortal patron. The chapter left Jiang Yang aware that the sect’s supposed protection might be weakened, though no one dared test it.

• Xuan Di told Jiang Yang that a True Lord associated with Geng Metal controlled the Divine Power Xuan Guang needed and could force him to submit.
• Jiang Yang realized the True Lord’s opposition stemmed from Yi Wood’s old conflict with Geng Metal and feared for his master’s Dao Path.
• Jiang Yang asked about Rain Xiang Mountain’s patron, and Xuan Di explained the sect’s Weak Water lineage and its founding by Xiang Fan.
• Xuan Di described Fruit Positions as the highest rank of Golden Core, Surplus Positions as holders of partial authority, and Intercalary Positions as powerful figures with little authority.
• Xuan Di revealed that Xiang Fan, Zaiyang, and Ji Shang had all died pursuing a Weak Water Surplus Position, while the immortal Lady had stopped responding.
• Xuan Di said Rain Xiang Mountain still relied on the Lady’s reputation for protection, though he suspected she was in poor condition.

Jiang Yang returned to Rain Xiang Mountain with Xuan Di and learned more about the Sect’s precarious position without a True Lord to protect it. After resting, he and Bai Tang discussed clues linking her origins to Azure Corner Grotto-Heaven and planned to seek information about Fang Xu.

• Xuan Di explained to Jiang Yang that Rain Xiang Mountain’s standing was precarious without a True Lord, though its connection to the Lady of Hidden Mystery deterred outright attacks.
• Xuan Di brought Jiang Yang through the mountain-guarding array to Fushu Peak, where Jiang Yang reunited with Xuan Guang and recounted his visit to the Dragon Palace.
• Xuan Guang sent Jiang Yang away to rest while he and Xuan Di stayed behind to discuss Sect matters.
• Jiang Yang returned to his Courtyard, rested, and asked Bai Tang about the Dragon Prince’s remarks concerning Azure Corner Heaven.
• Jiang Yang and Bai Tang connected the clues around her discovery in the Sword-Washing Pool to the Thunderbolt Wind Sky Windwood Lineage and Azure Corner Grotto-Heaven.
• Jiang Yang proposed visiting Morning Rain Peak in a few days to ask about Fang Xu, and Bai Tang agreed.

Jiang Yang broke through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage after meditating for more than half a year, and discovered that his refined impurities had formed a low-grade Broadwood Spirit Treasure. The chapter ended with Shang Qingzheng thinking about Jiang Yang’s letter as she managed Dawn Rain Peak’s affairs.

• Jiang Yang wrote to Shang Qingzheng to explain that he had to postpone his planned visit and began breaking through to the Middle Stage.
• Jiang Yang meditated for more than half a year while Bi Xingjian and Chu Qingjian were turned away from his courtyard.
• Jiang Yang completed his breakthrough and found that the Turbid Qi he expelled had become a Qi Refining Level One Broadwood Spirit Treasure, which he stored away.
• Jiang Yang left his courtyard and headed out after cleaning the room and taking up the Spirit Sword.
• At Dawn Rain Peak, Shang Qingzheng read Jiang Yang’s letter while Li Zhouying teased her about how lost in thought she was.

Shang Qingzheng arranged for Xie Lezhi and nine Qi Refining disciples to guard the Towering Mine Vein. Meanwhile, Jiang Yang discovered that Fang Xu had been assigned there years ago, and reunited with Meow.

• Li Zhouying told Shang Qingzheng that Dawn Rain Peak needed to send disciples to reinforce the Towering Mine Vein, and Shang Qingzheng selected nine disciples for Xie Lezhi to lead.
• Li Zhouying teased Shang Qingzheng about a man she liked, and Shang Qingzheng eventually whispered an answer to her.
• Jiang Yang searched the General Affairs Office records and learned that Fang Xu had left nearly five years earlier to guard the Towering Mine Vein on a ten-year assignment.
• Meow surprised Jiang Yang in the woods and tried to make him guess who she was, while Shang Qingzheng watched and warned him not to upset her.

Jiang Yang and Shang Qingzheng discussed Little Sixteen’s transformation and her fortune-based immortal foundation, which made fish rain from the sky. Shang Qingzheng led Jiang Yang inside and remarked on how quickly he had advanced to the middle stage of foundation establishment.

• Jiang Yang revealed that he had recognized Little Sixteen as the wildcat Chi Yu, and Shang Qingzheng explained that the Pill had helped her transform, awaken her bloodline, and establish her immortal foundation.
• Little Sixteen summoned a golden auspicious cloud that made fish rain down, then changed into a wildcat and chased them.
• Shang Qingzheng explained that Little Sixteen’s immortal foundation, auspicious cloud proclamation, granted blessings and fulfilled wishes within the limits of her magic power or incense offerings.
• Jiang Yang reassured Shang Qingzheng that Little Sixteen was still young and should not be pushed too hard to cultivate.
• Shang Qingzheng took Jiang Yang inside and noted that he had reached the middle stage of foundation establishment after only a few years.

Jiang Yang and Shang Qingzheng shared a tender moment in the snowy Bamboo Grove, but Little Sixteen interrupted them with an awkward question. Jiang Yang comforted both women and distracted Little Sixteen with elixirs and a spirit treasure.

• Jiang Yang credited Shang Qingzheng's Fortune Elixir for helping him advance, then encouraged her to cultivate toward the Purple Mansion stage.
• Shang Qingzheng explained that peak duties had kept her from cultivating and that Third Senior Sister would soon return to take over.
• Jiang Yang and Shang Qingzheng grew intimate in the Bamboo Grove, but Shang Qingzheng asked him not to go further there, and he respected her request.
• Little Sixteen appeared and asked to taste what Jiang Yang and Shang Qingzheng were secretly nibbling, embarrassing Shang Qingzheng, who struck her forehead.
• Jiang Yang soothed Shang Qingzheng and placated Little Sixteen with elixirs and a broadwood spirit treasure, which Little Sixteen swallowed eagerly.

Jiang Yang promised to help Shang Qingzheng investigate her mother's suspicious death once he attained Purple Mansion, easing her long-held worry. He later studied the Azure Silk Severing Hub Dao Scroll and considered beginning the Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation spell.

• Little Sixteen ate a piece of Jiang Yang's qi and happily asked for more, while Jiang Yang teased her and sent her off to play.
• Shang Qingzheng told Jiang Yang that she suspected foul play in her mother's death and wanted to return to the Heqiu Snowfield to uncover the truth.
• Shang Qingzheng explained that her master had taken her away as a child and advised her to reach Purple Mansion before returning to her clan.
• Jiang Yang promised to help Shang Qingzheng investigate as soon as he attained Purple Mansion, and she rested contentedly in his arms at dawn.
• Jiang Yang studied Yuan Jun's Azure Silk Severing Hub Dao Scroll and weighed it against the Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation spell as his next cultivation task.

Jiang Yang studied and began cultivating the Azure Silk Hub-Cutting Art, using Bai Tang’s guidance to locate its seven Profound Apertures. After testing the Azure Silk Profound Light on a Spirit Elm branch and seeing it drain away the branch’s vitality, he understood Yuan Jun’s warnings about the Spell’s dangers; then a visitor arrived from the sky.

• Jiang Yang chose to study the Azure Silk Hub-Cutting Art first because he lacked the Purple Mansion Spirit Treasures needed to cultivate the Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation.
• After several days of studying the Dao Scroll, Jiang Yang called on Bai Tang, who explained that true essence brought the seven Profound Apertures into being and showed him where they were.
• Jiang Yang meditated for more than half a month, forming the seven apertures, and soon gathered pale blue-green currents within them.
• Jiang Yang tested the Azure Silk Profound Light on a branch from the Spirit Elm Tree, and it drained the branch’s vitality until it withered and crumbled to powder.
• Jiang Yang realized the Spell could provoke widespread hatred if used carelessly, then a golden arc descended and an arriving visitor remarked that Jiang Yang had been in seclusion during several previous visits.

Jiang Yang welcomed Chu Qingjian and her disciple Cong Huaijin after returning from seclusion, while Chu Qingjian wrestled with her grandfather’s wish that she find a partner and leave descendants. She had begun to think of Jiang Yang as a possible partner but had not yet found the courage to broach the subject.

• Jiang Yang greeted Chu Qingjian and Cong Huaijin, congratulating the girl on reaching Qi Refining.
• Chu Qingjian told Jiang Yang that Bi Xingjian had entered seclusion to try to break through to the Late Stage, and urged Jiang Yang to shame him with his faster progress.
• Jiang Yang asked Cong Huaijin about her cultivation, and she said she had been assigned the fourth-grade Rain-Washing Clarity Art.
• Chu Qingjian recalled that her dying grandfather, Chu Tianshu, had asked her to find a worthy partner and leave descendants for the clan.
• Chu Qingjian realized that Jiang Yang had become the person on her mind, and she had returned to his door intending to raise the matter.

Chu Qingjian visited Jiang Yang intending to speak about her feelings, but Cong Huaijin’s presence made her flee before she could confess. Jiang Yang returned to studying the Chongyi Zhangu qi and realized a strand of longevity qi in a spirit treasure might offset its lifespan cost.

• Chu Qingjian admired Jiang Yang and considered him a suitable match, but worried he might not be willing.
• Jiang Yang noticed Chu Qingjian was troubled and invited her to share what was wrong.
• Chu Qingjian gathered her courage to speak, then saw Cong Huaijin and left with her in a streak of lightning, promising to visit again.
• Jiang Yang resumed studying the Spells and considered using his ability to see remaining lifespans to measure their effects.
• Jiang Yang learned that the Zhangu method spent his lifespan to reduce a target’s, with a steep exchange rate against stronger cultivators.
• Jiang Yang found that longevity qi could offset the cost and recalled that a spirit treasure should contain a strand.

Jiang Yang prepared to cultivate the Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation and realized that the Azure Corner Heaven would likely descend near the Towering Mine Vein within three to five years. He brought two Purple Mansion Spirit Treasures to his master, Xuan Guang, and asked for help refining them.

• Jiang Yang decided to fill his seven profound apertures with azure silk profound light and memorize the Hub-Slashing Method while practicing the Dao Scroll.
• Jiang Yang learned that the Sect had mobilized disciples to relieve the guards at the Ore Vein, then connected the deployment and Fang Xu's disappearance to the Towering Mine Vein.
• Jiang Yang concluded that Azure Corner Heaven would likely descend near the border of the Zheng Kingdom, the Wu Kingdom, and Heavy Mountains within three to five years.
• Jiang Yang examined the [Moon-Full Crescent of Darkness] and the [Shuoding Manifestation Pupil], but declined to use the former to nourish his eager Moon-White Spirit-Clear Elm.
• Jiang Yang took the two Purple Mansion Spirit Treasures to Xuan Guang and asked his master to help him cultivate the Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation.

Jiang Yang gave two Yin-Yang Spirit Treasures to Xuan Guang to refine for his Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation, then began studying the ancient Pupil Art while awaiting the results. The chapter left Jiang Yang cultivating the art with the Spirit Seeds set to complete its final stage.

• Xuan Guang reassured Jiang Yang that Rain Xiang Mountain would not seize his Spirit Treasures and accepted the Silver Bottle and Jade Box for refinement.
• Xuan Guang explained that tempering each Spirit Treasure would take eighty-one days and sent Jiang Yang away to study his Spells and strengthen his foundations.
• After Jiang Yang left, Xuan Guang marveled at the rarity of the Spirit Treasures and the Pupil Art's potential to let a future Sword Immortal harm Purple Mansion cultivators.
• Jiang Yang returned to his cultivation and closely studied the Jade Slip's ancient instructions for cultivating the Profound Eyes of Lunar Phases Manifestation.
• Jiang Yang learned that mastering the Pupil Art required refining two corresponding Purple Mansion Spirit Treasures into his eyes.

Jiang Yang practiced the difficult Pupil Art until Bai Tang reminded him that she needed to feed on his sword essence. After she drained him and entered the Spirit Sword to sleep, Chu Qingjian arrived at his courtyard seeking him.

• Jiang Yang repeatedly practiced forming a mystic eye with the Pupil Art, while Bai Tang appeared and reminded him that he had forgotten to feed her.
• Bai Tang kissed Jiang Yang and absorbed his sword essence, restoring her body while their sword intents deepened his understanding of the Sword Dao.
• Bai Tang said she needed to sleep and vanished into the Spirit Sword, leaving Jiang Yang with an empty Qi Sea and barely able to stand.
• Jiang Yang took an elixir, began recovering his true essence, and decided to feed Bai Tang once every three months.
• Chu Qingjian called to Jiang Yang outside his courtyard, and he appeared at the doorway, surprised to see her.

Chu Qingjian visited Jiang Yang in a rare dress to ask him for help before departing for Cuiwei. She arranged for him to look after Huai Jin, then hinted at a second request that Jiang Yang agreed to begin.

• Chu Qingjian visited Jiang Yang wearing a Bamboo-Green Palace Dress and asked whether it looked good; he praised her appearance.
• Chu Qingjian asked Jiang Yang to look after Huai Jin while she went to Cuiwei to help Eldest Senior Brother deal with a dangerous fire vein and the struggle over its resources.
• Jiang Yang agreed to care for Huai Jin, and Chu Qingjian said she planned to leave within a couple of days.
• Chu Qingjian made a second, indirect request, and Jiang Yang said he understood and rose to begin.

Chu Qingjian asked Jiang Yang to become her Dao companion, but explained that she only wanted him to pretend to be her partner so she could satisfy her family’s wishes. Jiang Yang was left to consider her request after she urged him to agree.

• Jiang Yang prepared to spar with Chu Qingjian, but she clarified that she wanted to ask him something else.
• Chu Qingjian asked Jiang Yang whether he found her attractive, and he praised her before saying her Golden Armor suited her better than her court dress.
• Chu Qingjian confessed that she wanted to become Dao companions with Jiang Yang, leaving him stunned.
• Jiang Yang asked why she wanted to become his Dao companion, and Chu Qingjian explained that her family wanted her to find a partner before her dangerous breakthrough and continue the family bloodline.
• Chu Qingjian told Jiang Yang they would only pretend to be Dao companions so he could accompany her to meet her grandfather, then pleaded with him to agree.

Chu Qingjian ambushed Jiang Yang and restrained him with golden lightning, then began undressing him while explaining that pretending to be her Dao companion had only been an excuse. The chapter left Jiang Yang bound on the bed as Chu Qingjian prepared to carry out her unstated request.

• Chu Qingjian used her Heavenly balance strategy to surprise Jiang Yang and bind his limbs with golden lightning rings.
• Jiang Yang warned Chu Qingjian that their Master might notice, but she said he was occupied refining a spirit treasure.
• Chu Qingjian sealed the doors and windows, moved Jiang Yang onto the bed, and admitted that the Dao companion arrangement was only an excuse.
• Jiang Yang tried to persuade Chu Qingjian to tell him what she needed, but she said he was already helping her.
• Chu Qingjian removed Jiang Yang's belt and robe, then began taking off her own outer layer as Jiang Yang lay restrained.

Chu Qingjian restrained Jiang Yang and initiated an intimate encounter, then left the sect for Cuiwei and left him supplies as an apology. Days later, Jiang Yang cared for her young disciple Cong Huaijin while reflecting on Chu Qingjian’s departure and the gifts she left behind.

• Chu Qingjian removed her outer garments, kept Jiang Yang pinned with Golden Thunder Rings, and told him she had planned the encounter for more than half a year.
• Chu Qingjian offered herself to Jiang Yang and the two were alone together in the Quiet Chamber.
• Chu Qingjian left for Cuiwei after that night, leaving Jiang Yang elixirs, Spirit Stones, and Spirit Treasures.
• Cong Huaijin visited Jiang Yang, greeted him formally, and studied her lessons nearby.
• Jiang Yang reflected on Cong Huaijin’s talent and wondered whether Chu Qingjian’s gifts were compensation or an overnight fee.